Women's and Children's Hospital

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE (14:28): My question is to the Minister for Health and Wellbeing regarding health. Given comments on ABC radio yesterday from obstetrician Professor John Svigos that 'this is in the face of an increasing birthrate that has been occurring at the hospital…which we can barely cope with', why exactly is the government building a new Women's and Children's Hospital with 56 obstetric beds compared to the current 63?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:29): I think it's very important for people to appreciate that birthing services continue to evolve. A key part—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! The minister will resume his seat. What I won't tolerate is where there is guffawing and there are interjections before the minister's response has hardly started. The minister has the call.

The Hon. S.G. WADE: I honestly don't understand why the Labor Party doesn't believe that women are entitled to birthing choices.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! The Leader of the Opposition is out of order.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. S.G. WADE: I agree with Professor Svigos: of course we need to consider the birthrate, but we also need to consider birthing practices. There has been significant change in the delivery of birthing services, particularly with the growth of midwifery. Unlike the former government, I am going to support South Australian women to access a range of birthing services, including midwifery.